This set of Pilates exercises is designed to provide you with an at-home routine you can do on a mat, whether you are new or experienced. These exercises develop the core strength, stability, and flexibility for which Pilates is famous.
The muscular focus for each exercise is noted so you can target your routine. Keep in mind that all Pilates exercises engage core abdominal muscles. There are modification notes in the full instructions for each exercise.
Thewarm-up exercisesare important in teaching the foundations of Pilates movement. They also prepare the body for safely executing more challenging exercises later. Even if you skip the later moves, choose at least two or three warm-up exercises to begin each Pilates workout. Put on your leggings, grab a mat, and get started.
1
Ab Scoop
1:02
Watch Now: Ab Scoop Your Way to a Six-Pack
Exercise: Chest Lift/Ab Scoop
Target area: Abdominals—especially the six-pack or rectus abdominis
This is not a crunch. The abdominals must be pulled down into a deep scoop as you use them to control a slow, smooth curl up and roll down. Precision in this type of scoop is one of the secrets of Pilates.
2
The Hundred
1:40
Watch Now: How to Do the Classic Hundred Like a Pro
Exercise: The Hundred
Target area: Abdominals, breathing
Your abdominals will be deeply pulled in, so you will use your full lung capacity by breathing into your back and lower ribs. Use your abs to hold yourself up—don't let your neck and shoulders do all the work.
3
The Roll Up
1:56
Watch Now: How to Do a Roll Up
Exercise: The Roll Up
Target area: Abdominals
Use your abdominals to roll up and down with control. Do not rely on momentum or letting your legs lift off the mat. Pilates is about control, and this is where you build it.
4
One Leg Circle
1:24
Watch Now: How to Do a One Leg Circle
Exercise: One Leg Circle
Target area: Abdominals, thighs, hip flexors
The abdominals keep the pelvis stable as the leg moves. No rocking and rolling! Be sure to use your full range of motion without losing control.
5
Rolling Like a Ball
1:00
Watch Now: How to Nail Rolling Like a Ball
Exercise: Rolling Like a Ball
Target area: Abdominals, spinal mobility
Stay in your curve for the whole exercise. Initiate rolling back with your abs and not falling back or using momentum.
6
Open Leg Balance
0:54
Watch Now: Challenge Your Abs with the Open Leg Balance
Exercise: Open Leg Balance
Target area: Abdominals, hamstring mobility
Use your abdominals and back muscles to control this pose. Try to work with the straightest arms and legs possible. If it doesn't work at first, keep practicing. You'll get there!
7
The Side Kick Series
3:55
Watch Now: 4 Side Kicks to Tone Your Thighs and Core
Exercise: Side Kick Series
Target area: Abdominals, all thigh muscles—especially inner thigh
Work the torso as well as the legs. The ribs should stay supported throughout each repetition. Do not let them sink to the mat.
8
Front Support/Plank
1:30
Watch Now: The Right Way to Plank in Pilates
Exercise: Front Support/Plank
Target area: Back extensors, abdominals, shoulders, arms
Stay in one line from your heels to your ears. Though the focus is somewhat on the upper body, engage your legs and squeeze your glutes, the exercise will be easier.
9
Saw
1:20
Watch Now: The Pilates Saw is the Ultimate Stretch
Exercise: Saw
Target area: Hamstrings, inner thigh, obliques, back mobility
Keep your hips anchored and level as you twist to the side. Use opposition when reaching forward so you also reach back.
10
Mermaid
1:10
Watch Now: Reward Your Body with the Mermaid Side Stretch
Exercise: Mermaid
Target area: Side stretch
Bend your body directly sideways as you stretch, as though you were between two sheets of glass. Keep the hip on your stretching side down.
11
Swan Prep
1:25
Watch Now: How to Do the Swan Stretch for Your Front Body
Exercise: Swan Prep
Target area: Back extensors, abdominal stretch
Swan provides a wonderful counter stretch to the many forward flexion exercises we do in Pilates. This is an everyday move.
12
Wall Roll Down
Exercise: Wall Roll Down
Target area: Abdominals, back, and hamstring stretch
Use this exercise to transition from your Pilates routine to carrying good posture into your daily life.
2 Sources
Verywell Fit uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Fleming KM, Herring MP. The effects of pilates on mental health outcomes: A meta-analysis of controlled trials. Complement Ther Med. 2018;37:80-95. doi:10.1016/j.ctim.2018.02.003
Byrnes K, Wu PJ, Whillier S. Is Pilates an effective rehabilitation tool? A systematic review. J Bodyw Mov Ther. 2018;22(1):192-202. doi:10.1016/j.jbmt.2017.04.008
By Marguerite Ogle MS, RYT
Marguerite Ogle is a freelance writer and experienced natural wellness and life coach, who has been teaching Pilates for more than 35 years.
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